Question

Jonah is reading the passage and believes that the phrase "icy smile" is an oxymoron. Why does he believe this? A. The words "icy" and "smile" describe a person's feature. B. The words "icy" and "smile" are opposite in meaning. C. The words "icy" and "smile" add to the passage's dialogue. D. The words "icy" and "smile" both have long i sounds.

Answer 1

The phrase "icy smile" is considered an oxymoron because it combines the contradictory meanings of "icy" (cold, detached) and "smile" (warm, friendly), creating a complex emotional expression.

Step-by-step explanation:

Jonah believes the phrase "icy smile" is an oxymoron because B. The words "icy" and "smile" are opposite in meaning. An oxymoron is a figure of speech that combines two contradictory terms to create a paradoxical effect. In this context, "icy" generally conveys coldness, detachment, or lack of emotion, while "smile" suggests warmth, friendliness, and happiness. Thus, combining "icy" with "smile" blends contradictory ideas, resulting in the oxymoron. This reflects the contrast between the physical description and the emotional state portrayed in the passage, ultimately contributing to its stylistic depth and complexity.

Answer 2

Answer: B

Step-by-step explanation:

"icy" when describing a person's attitude or personality means cold, rude, etc, but a smile is usually happy and warm.

Personally I don't think it's an oxymoron- it's definitely possible to do a rude, fake smile. But B is what an oxymoron is- two words that are opposite in meaning and shouldn't technically be used together- like "awfully good" or "bittersweet."